The Mt. Laurel Board of Education passed its tentative budget, increasing taxes just under the 2 percent cap set by the state.
According to director of communications Marie Reynolds, the general tax levy fund will increase 1.85 percent to $54,288,538 for the 2013–2014 school year.
The tax rate is expected to increase 6.5 cents to $1.72 per $100 of assessed value, according to the budget plan submitted by business administrator Robert Wachter at the board’s special meeting on Tuesday, March 5.
Taxpayers will possibly pay $46.90 more in taxes based on the average assessed home, without a decrease in ratables, Reynolds said. If there is a decrease in ratables the average assessed homeowner could pay $92.37 more.
Currently, the average assessed home in Mt. Laurel is $142,100.
Reynolds said the current property values in Mt. Laurel could decrease because of pending tax appeals.
She said the school district is trying to be candid in showing people that a ratable decrease is possible.
The school district will also receive $18,141 more in state aid for 2013–2014.
In 2009 and 2011 the school district lost more than $5 million in state aid, Reynolds said adding it’s pleasing to see the school district will receive more state aid next year.
Reynolds said there are no radical projects happening. But there is an emphasis on security, curriculum and technology in the school district, she said.
According to Wachter’s presentation, technology improvements include new computers to support PARCC, while curriculum improvements include summer curriculum materials for the new Harrington Middle School electives, a reading support program, leveled literacy materials, math program materials and non-fiction texts.
Security improvements included in the budget are hardware and monitor installation as well as security camera installations in Hillside Elementary, Countryside Elementary and Parkway Elementary.
The budget also allocates capital improvements, such as the Harrington Middle School roof project; painting in Larchmont Elementary, Hartford and Springville; unit ventilator replacement at the Hattie Britt Administration building; HVAC controls in Hartford Elementary; and three new replacement school buses.
